How do you treat mild hypertension?
Olivia Shea
Updated on February 28, 2026
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Eat healthy foods. Eat a heart-healthy diet.
- Decrease the salt in your diet. Aim to limit sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Increase physical activity.
- Limit alcohol.
- Don’t smoke.
- Manage stress.
- Monitor your blood pressure at home.
What is the best medication for stage 1 hypertension?
If you have stage 1 hypertension, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and medication. They may prescribe a drug such as a water pill or diuretic, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), or a calcium channel blocker.
What is the first line treatment for uncomplicated hypertension?
However, for most patients with uncomplicated hypertension low-dose thiazide-type diuretics should be first-line therapy. The choice of add-on therapy, which may be required later in up to two-thirds of patients, is not as clearly defined. Beta blocking drugs and ACE inhibitors are effective when used with a diuretic.
Do you need medication for stage 1 hypertension?
130/80 to 139/89 (stage 1 hypertension): You might need medication. These numbers qualify as high blood pressure and you need to take action. But your doctor will probably suggest that you try out lifestyle changes first before adding drugs — unless you have other health problems.
Is there an alternative to taking amlodipine?
There are several other calcium channel blockers that work in the same way as amlodipine. They include nifedipine, felodipine, lacidipine and lercanidipine. There are other calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem and verapamil, that have other effects on the heart.
What are the guidelines for Stage 1 hypertension?
Stage 1 hypertension: Systolic pressure 130 to 139 mmHg or diastolic pressure 80 to 89 mmHg Stage 2 hypertension: Systolic pressure greater than 139 mmHg or pressure diastolic greater than 89 mmHg Prehypertension describes blood pressure that is higher than the desirable range, but not high enough to be labeled hypertension.
What are the best drugs for hypertension?
Moduretic (amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide)
What is the initial treatment for hypertension?
There are basically four major categories of medications that have been proven effective in treating hypertension: Beta-blockers may be considered, but only in certain cases. Combination therapy would involve taking two anti-hypertensive medications, each from a different drug category.
What is the first line blood pressure medication?
Diuretics are often recommended as the first line of therapy for most people who have high blood pressure. However, your doctor may start a medicine other than a diuretic as the first line of therapy if you have certain medical problems. For example, ACE inhibitors are often a choice for people with diabetes.